Verification in progress. Statute references on this page are being confirmed against current law by a licensed attorney. Use the official sources listed below for the authoritative text.
Key takeaways
- Texas presumes joint managing conservatorship (shared decision-making) unless family violence or other findings rebut it.
- The Standard Possession Order and its Expanded election are written into the Family Code; fathers can request the expanded version by name.
- Unmarried Texas fathers have no enforceable rights until paternity is established.
- The Attorney General's Child Support Division handles support and paternity establishment statewide.
Texas guides
Texas Child Custody Laws: Conservatorship Explained
How Texas courts decide conservatorship and possession, the joint managing conservator presumption, the right to designate primary residence, and what fathers should file.
Texas 50/50 Custody and Equal Possession
How equal possession works in Texas, why the Expanded Standard Possession Order is the usual starting point, and how fathers make the case for a 50/50 schedule.
Texas Standard Possession Order (SPO) and Parenting Plans
What the Texas Standard Possession Order gives the non-primary parent, the Expanded election, holiday and summer rules, orders for children under three, and how fathers request more.
How to File for Custody in Texas
The Texas custody (SAPCR) process for fathers—original petition, service, temporary orders, mediation, parenting classes, and final orders—with free form sources.
Paternity Rights in Texas for Unmarried Fathers
How Texas fathers establish paternity—Acknowledgment of Paternity, the Attorney General's process, court adjudication, DNA testing—and what conservatorship rights follow.
Modifying Custody in Texas
When Texas courts modify conservatorship or possession, the material-and-substantial-change standard, the one-year affidavit rule, and how fathers petition.
Child Support in Texas
How Texas calculates child support—percentage of net resources, the monthly cap, medical and dental support—and how fathers request a review or modification.
Protective Orders and Custody in Texas
How Texas protective orders affect conservatorship and possession, how to respond if you are served, and how to seek protection for a child.
Texas Family Court Resources
Official Texas court self-help, TexasLawHelp forms, Attorney General child support and paternity services, the Access and Visitation Hotline, legal aid, and lawyer referral.
Legal / educational information
Texas's approach in one paragraph
Texas Family Code Chapter 153 governs conservatorship, possession, and access. Courts decide in the child's best interest and start from a rebuttable presumption that parents should be joint managing conservators. One parent is usually given the exclusive right to designate the child's primary residence; the other receives possession under the Standard Possession Order or a custom schedule. VERIFY: confirm the current Texas Family Code text and section numbers with a licensed Texas attorney before relying on this—the Legislature amends Title 5 in most sessions.
Legal / educational information
Where the law lives
Title 5 of the Texas Family Code: Chapter 153 (conservatorship, possession, access), Chapter 154 (child support), Chapter 156 (modification), Chapter 160 (parentage), and Title 4 (protective orders). Texas Legislature Online publishes the current text; TexasLawHelp.org publishes free forms and guides.
Personal experience
From Texas dads
Texas judges see the Standard Possession Order every day. Fathers who ask for the Expanded Standard Possession Order—or an equal schedule—with a specific, school-based plan get further than fathers who ask for 'more time' in general terms.
Based on one father's experience. Not legal advice; outcomes vary by state and case.
Frequently asked questions
Texas Family Code §153.003 directs courts not to consider the sex or marital status of a parent in deciding conservatorship or possession. Outcomes turn on best-interest factors and preparation.
Sources
A Father's Fight provides general educational information and personal experiences. It is not a law firm and this page is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney in your state. See our disclaimer and editorial policy.